Help protect farming in Northampton County

August 17, 2004|The Morning Call

Farming is a rich part of Northampton County's history and future. Yet, farming in the county is under pressure from development and other factors.

Technological change in farming has created pressures on farmers to either "get bigger or get out." Residential development has increased the likelihood of conflicts between farmers and their non-farm neighbors.

The "Future of Agriculture in Northampton County" is a community program that will address the needs and future of farming in Northampton County. It is based on the idea that agricultural concerns cannot be solved solely by farmers, that the community must play a role.

The program helps the community identify the concerns and barriers to survival and growth facing local farms, and then develop a plan for sustaining farms and farming in the area.

Come to our first planning meeting at 1 p.m. Friday at the Penn State Cooperative Extension office, in the Greystone Building at Gracedale.